HOSPITAL chiefs moved to allay fears over the future of Christchurch Hospital at a packed public meeting, telling people they were “not proposing to sell or close the site”.

More than 100 residents, councillors and representatives from community groups turned out to hear what the chief executive of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust Tony Spotswood had to say about the current consultation, which is part of the trust’s |annual plan.

Mr Spotswood told the meeting: “We are not proposing to sell the site.

“Many people think this is a ruse because we want to sell it. This is not the case. It would not make sense to do that.”

There have already been 1,690 responses to the consultation, with 1,660 in favour of option one – retaining services – and 30 voting for option two, moving most services from Christchurch to Bournemouth.

Questions to the panel, who included trust chairman Jane Stichbury, local GP Steve Tomkins and Dr Neil Hopkinson revolved around the affordability of the older people’s village and how home-based rehabilitation would work and benefit patients.

Many expressed concerns about the level of home-based care elderly people would receive and wanted assurances this would be in place before changes were made.

The panel was also asked how the introduction of GP consortiums would affect the current proposals.

Mr Spotswood said: “What we want to do is to extend the range of services and preserve what we have got.

“We need to ensure that the local GPs and primary care trusts support that going forward.”

Chairman Jane Stichbury said: “We were really pleased to see and meet so many people at the meeting.

“It shows great support for our local hospital.

“The response to the consultation so far has been excellent.”

The consultation ends on April 29 and a detailed business case will be drawn up by the summer.

Another public meeting will take place at the Royal British Legion in Bargates on Monday at 2.30pm.